Dangote Cement Plc has announced that no fewer than 1,500 of its truck drivers have undergone rigorous screening to ensure their mental, psychological, and physical fitness for safe driving across Nigeria.
The Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Arvind Pathak, disclosed this at the 2025 Annual Drivers Retreat held in Ilaro, Ogun State.
Pathak explained that the exercise, which has now been made more intensive due to increasing concerns about road safety, is mandatory for all drivers employed by the company.
“Every driver employed by Dangote Cement is required to undergo an extensive and rigorously structured recruitment process that includes a valid Class G driver’s licence, background verification of both the driver and their guarantors, as well as comprehensive medical evaluations,” he said.
According to him, the evaluations include vision tests, blood pressure checks, body mass index (BMI), random blood sugar (RBS) tests, and drug and alcohol screening.
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“In the past two months alone, over 1,500 prospective drivers have successfully completed this process. Only those who met all required standards were engaged and certified to operate Dangote Group vehicles. Our commitment to safety extends beyond recruitment. All drivers undergo mandatory pre-trip medical assessments, conducted by licensed nurses and doctors,” Pathak added.
He stressed that training and retraining of drivers remain a top priority for the company, given its large fleet and the need to guarantee road safety nationwide.
“As a leading cement manufacturer with thousands of trucks in our fleet, safety on the road remains our management’s priority. We are also conscious of our responsibility to other road users, which is why our safety systems and procedures are designed to prevent incidents and protect lives,” he noted.
Pathak further stated that Dangote Cement routinely collaborates with the Nigeria Police and other relevant agencies during investigations into reported incidents, while implementing recommendations to strengthen public safety.
The screening, he explained, also covers a three-month detection window for substance use. Successful drivers then undergo a two-week intensive training programme that includes twelve safety modules, practical driving assessments, and written examinations.
